Day 7 - Arenal Day 2

In the shadow of Volcan Arenal, shrouded with a crown of mist and rain, we contemplate the end of our journey to Central America. Looking back from whence we have come, we reflect not only on the differences in culture and opportunity between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, but also between who we were just a short six days ago and who we have become.

We have most certainly grown from the unforgettable experiences, as well as the grace and wisdom of wonderful guides. We have become better persons from the examples of service, gratitude, and general happiness of the people we have encountered. And we have developed great friendships that otherwise may have never been explored.

We call this land the "New World," and indeed it lives up to that name. One can see Nicaraguans desperately searching for an identity and purpose in an attempt to overcome their recent history of conflict and poverty. Meanwhile, Costa Ricans present the case that a people and their environment can thrive together amidst the backdrop of an ecosystem that is continually re-creating itself.

All of this reminds us that we are constantly moving forward. At times, change, like the volcano, can be violent and abrupt forcing us to let go of the past. But in the wake of that change, the entire landscape is re-born into something new, different, and ultimately more beneficial for all.  

Mr. Lechuga

 Here are a few words from Melinda: 

I must say this whole experience has been amazing. Today's trip to the waterfall is something I won't be forgetting soon. We walked about 500 stairs down to the base of the fall. The stairs were somewhat old but beautiful. They were stone, paths, wood, and in some small sections dirt trails. From there as we looked up we can see the canopy which was full of life. Sense it is much cooler here that it is in Nicaragua, I wasn't as thankful for the water. Actually it was just straight out cold. Almost like sitting in the snow back home in our swimsuits cold. But, much more scenic than that. As I stayed longer in the water, the more adjusted I became and I enjoyed it waaay more. Where we were allowed to get into the water the water fall was out of site, but the sound of the birds, us, and it wrapped everything up. But, it just kept getting better. Just around the bend of the river there were rocks that I thought of as small rapids, but it was way more low key than that. Just under the "rapids" the water ran extremely quickly just between a few rocks that channeled it all together. The best part of them was that they were just fast enough that if you swam you could go hard, but still not move. So as we all swam up the currents and climbed up the close rocks, we were side by side with the people we knew and have been getting to know better on the trip. As not everyone actually got in the water, I think I speak for everyone when I say we all had a wonderful time and experience at the base of the water fall. Over the corse of the speedy two hours we had spent there there was a rush of excitement and joy as we splashed each other, took pictures, talked, and enjoyed the experience over all today.